Morning journal and courier., 1887-08-12
THE STATE FAIR.

A Grand Outlook For the Ieriden
 ExhIbitiOn-The Fruit Display to be
 Unparalleled iR the State-HOw it
 Ought to be Made-Pr0gress in Do
 mest1c Wines and Berry Cordials.
 Governor Lounsbury has signifed his in
 tention of being present at the State fair at
 Meriden which takes place September 13, 14,
 15 and 16. This fair is subsidized by the State treasury and promises to be grand success this year in it's various features. The
 Hartford Post soliloquizes thus on the out look:
 The apple exhibition cannot but be good
 one, owing to the heavy yield this year and
 the Connecticut farmers we'll known attrac-
 tion to their culture. But it ought not to be forgotten by exhibitors that the largest"
 collection will not take the prize announced
 for the largest and best. There is no unquali-
 fed ''largest" for competition according to
 the premium list. At one of the State fairs a farmer sent in 8 table say with sixty vari-
 cites. For size it surpassed everything ever
 heard of, and yet contained but some six
 varieties worth cultivating. When neither
 the first nor the second prize was awarded
 this exhibitor he became provoked. He had
 inherited 8 method of grating from the trees
 of every acquaintance who recommended the apple as fine, and his orchard was
 full of just such hybrids, of no value except
 to the owner, and very little to him. This
 year it is hoped there will be no such crude
 selection. Many people in the community
 think they can tell good apple. These apple lovers will be in demand at Meriden
 by the judges who are to pass upon the hun
 dreds of varieties shown. To taste an apple
 is almost as delicate task as to taste wine,
 and the palate that is brought 50 often to
 the juices fails to act normally and must be
 reinforced by fresh blood. Pears are also
 appearing we'll and will be shown in variety.
 Peaches likewise promise well as Connecti-
 cut crop. Plums are good, but quinces may
 suffer, having been blighted to some extent. Selections will undoubtedly produce many excellent plates.
 The progress in domestic wines has been marked. Samples will be exhibited as usual. Even dry wines are made in the low CT part of the State-by Hamden farmer, we believe. Then there are the usual fruit cordials, called wines by some, such as the juice of the elderberry, the blackberry and many other berries, with sugar of all grades added. To increase excellence the best sugar should be used; unre6ned brown is not success a developer of cordials. A good test of wine was made at the last fair. The ! judges were obliged to use every means to conceal the makers names. They call in experts to help them sample the goods. Il ties were hidden and glass and beer mug { sent out to the experts. These were filled < with the various wines. They returned their verdict for or against "the glass" and
 ''the mug" Sometimes the mug won and l sometimes the glass. This test was finished without the Interpretation of the ladies-who ! have strong views as to temperance, but two l of them, one deacon's wife, attacked the judges as they were passing around the fruit cordials to several young lady experts. These champions of cold water thought it l was shame that the State should permit an array of wines.
 ''But these are not wines,n returned one of I the judges. ''These are cordials. They will affect nobody's head. If man should drink too much he would be terribly stomach sick, that it is all.'
 ''Still. think it a shame" continued the spokeswoman, "and you have given a dea- cons daughter some of it, too. It is out rageous."
 "Madam," retorted the cordial inspector, making French courtesy; "madam, Iknow of one exhibit here you would be entirely fit to pass upon -"
 The lady with temperance proclivities paused to hear some pleasant compliment. HThe cider vinegar!"
 She hastily moved away with shrug of | the shoulders and 8 lively movement of \ skirts. The cordial tests were finished with ! out further interruption.